Scavenger roll and flute holder



INVENTOR James FMr Jr 3 SheetsSheet l J. F. KING, JR

SCAVENGER ROLL AND FLUTE HOLDER Jan. 15, 1963 Filed Feb. 1, 1960 Jan. 15, 1963 J. F. KING, JR

SCAVENGER ROLL AND FLUTE HOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1960 Jan. 15, 1963 J. F. KING, JR

SCAVENGER ROLL AND FLUTE HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 1, 1960 m mm T. F N m W J km omA I 3 K E w J Q m w B United States Patent 01 3,072,948 SCAVENGER ROLL AND FLUTE HOLDER James F. King, Jr., 1001 S. Marshall St., Winston-Salem, N.C. Filed Feb. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 5,816 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-25652) This invention relates to textile processing machines such as spinning frames, drawing frames and the like including sets of drafting rolls through which the textile strands are drawn and which are provided with suction collection flutes having orifices adjacent each strand at the leaving side of the drafting rolls for the purpose of sucking in the ends of any strands which may break, thereby to prevent the loose ends from lapping up on the rolls. The strands continue to be sucked into the flute and carried away to a central collecting point until the break is noticed by an operator who then ties the broken ends together so that the processing thereof can continue.

Because of the suction maintained at the orifices disposed in spaced relation along the flute and which are located closely adjacent the lower roll of the front roll set, this lower roll tends to accumulate an unusual amount of free lint thereon and which has to be removed. This is usually accomplished by means of a scavenger roll which has a plush surface and is caused to rotate in contact with the roll. When the surface of the scavenger roll has accumulated a fairly large quantity of lint, it must be removed and replaced with a clean roll. If too much lint is allowed to collect upon the scavenger roll it loses much of its ability to take off lint from the drafting roll.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved arrangement for supporting the scavenger roll in such a manner that it can be more easily removed for replacement with a clean roll.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide arms pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a suction flute and which include open type bearings for supporting the opposite ends of a scavenger roll, these arms being spring loaded so as to cause the scavenger roll to press upwardly against the rear of the drafting roll when the flute is in its normal operating position, and so as to also cause the arms to move forwardly when the flute is pressed downwardly thus carrying the scavenger roll forwardly through the gap created between the flute and drafting roll and dropping it out of its bearings into the hands of the operator, the arms in their forward position then being substantially directly beneath and in contact with the underside of the drafting roll and serving to hold the flute in its downward position against a counter spring-loading for the flute which tends to urge the latter into its position close to the drafting roll.

A still more specific object of the invention is to provide spring-loaded, pivotally mounted supporting arms for a scavenger roll as described in the preceding paragraph and wherein such arms and the spring means and other related components are mounted upon end plugs which are used to close the ends of the suction flutes.

The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages inherent in the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one practical embodiment thereof and from the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in rear elevation of an assembly including a lower drafting roll, a suction flute pivotally mounted beneath the same, and a scavenger roll pivotally mounted on the suction flute in such manner as to be spring loaded into engagement with the surface of the lower drafting roll;

3,072,948 Patented Jan. 15, 1963 FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1 at an enlarged scale showing the scavenger roll and suction flute in their normal operating positions;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the suetion flute held in a downwardly depressed position during replacement of the scavenger roll;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan of one end portion of the suction flute together with the end closure therefore on which is pivotally mounted the supporting arm for the corresponding end of the scavenger roll;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but with the parts shown in vertical central section; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the assembly by which the supporting arm for-the scavenger roll is pivotally mounted on the end of the suction flute.

With reference now to the drawings, a textile machine such as a spinning frame includes, as is well known, a horizontally extending roll beam 10 on which is mounted a drafting roll assembly including longitudinally spaced cooperating sets of drafting rolls 11, 12 between which are drawn the strands 13 that are then passed to the spindles. The rolls are supported at spaced intervals by means of brackets 14 which are fastened to the rOll beam-10.

It is conventional to provide spinning machines and the like with vacuum type collection systems for sucking in and carrying away loose lint and the ends of any strands which may happen to break at the drafting rolls.

Such a vacuum collection system for a spinning frame includes a plurality of tubular flutes, one of which is shown at 15, arranged generally in end-to-end relation along the length of the frame. These flutes are preferably made of light weight-metal such as cylindrical aluminum tubing and are positioned below the lower front rolls 12 and behind the strands 13 at the leaving side of the rolls. 'Each fiuteincludes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, somewhat elongated orifices or inlets 16, there being such an orifice in line with each of the strands. In View of the large number of strands being processed simultaneously on a spinning frame, it is impractical to utilize one continuous flute extending for the full length of the frame. Consequently, the flutes are made up in comparatively short lengths and each flute is provided with several, in the instant case eight, longitudinally spaced orifices which will take care of the same number of roll sets and strands. Each: of the-flutes isclosed at itsiends by plugs 17 and includes a centrally located outlet 18 to which is connected a suction tube 19 of flexible material. The suction tubes 19 are connected to another duct, not shown, that extends for the full length of the frame. A suction fan located at the end of this latter duct can be used for bringing all of the lint laden'air from the orifices through'the ductwork into a common filter where the lint can be collected and removed at periodic intervals. A more detailed disclosure of a vacuum collection system of the general type described herein can be found in United States Patent No. 2,914,136, granted November 24, 1959 to Agnew H. Bahnson, Jr.

Each of the suction collection flutes 15 is supported in its operating position adjacent the rolls 11, 12 and strands 13 by means of a cantilever type of spring means provided at each end of the flute and which functions to load the fluteto a rest position parallel with the rolls and generally beneath the same with the orifices 16 aligned with and in close proximity with the strands 13 as they leave the rolls for passage to the spindles. Each such spring means as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is comprised-of a length of metallic spring material of rectangular crossformed on the plug section bent into a bow 20. An L-shaped bracket 21 is riveted to the upper arm 20a of the spring bow and this bracket is secured by means of a screw and slot connection 22vto the adjacent bracket 14. The lower arm 20b of the spring bow extends forwardly to form a bearing sleeve 290 at the frontend for receiving a shaft portion 17a 17 which encloses the end of the flute.

FIG. 3 shows the cantilever spring supporting means for the flute 15 in the normal operating position. In this view it will be seen that the spring force inherent in the bow 20 causes the flute 15 to be biased upwardly to take the position indicated under and close to, but not touching, the lower roll 12 and with the orifices 16 located close enough to the strands as to cause the latter, if broken, to

be sucked into the flute. In this position the upward movement of the lower spring arm 20 h is limited by engagement with the foot portion of the L-bracket 21.

With reference now to FIGS. -7, each of the end plugs 17 which can be moulded from suitable material includes a flanged cylindrical peripheral portion 17b that is sized to the internal diameter of the flute 15 and upon which is provided a short longitudinally extending rib 17c that is entered into a correspondingly dimensioned longitudinally extending slot 15a in the wall of the flute so as to prevent any relative rotation between the flute and the end plug.-

The inner end 17a" of the plug is cut off at an angle so as not to interfere with the desired suction through the endmost orifice in the-flute. The outer end of the plug 17 as previously explained, is provided with an axially extending shaft 17a which is adapted to be received in the sleeve 200 formed at the outer end of the bow spring arm 20b. This end of the plug is also provided with a second and larger diameter shaft portion 17e upon which is rotatably mounted an open type bearing member 23 for supporting one end of the scavenger roll.

The bearing member 23 which can be made of any suitable plastic material is seen' to be L-shaped and includes a slot 23a for receiving an arm 24a which extends radially from an annular hub; 24 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft'portion 17a of the end plug. Hub 24 and arm 24a are integrated into a single structure and are preferably made from relatively thin sheet metal. The bearing member 23 is made somewhat thicker than the arm 24a so as to provide a suitable open, rounded bearing surface 23b for the end shaft 25 of a scavenger roll 26 having a plush surface and which rolls in contact with the lower drafting roll 12 as seen in FIG. 3.

Plug 17 is also provided with an annular recess 17 the inner diameter of which is the same as that of the shaft portion 172. Seated in recess 17f is an open type a'rcuate wire spring 27 having a head 27a at one end formed by turning the wire back upon itself and a hook 27b formed at the opposite end. The head portion 27a is seated behind a slotted rib 17g extending radially in the recess 17f while the hook portion 27b is engaged with a lug 28 struck out from the inner face of the annular hub 24. Hub 24 also includes another struck out lug 29 struck out from the inner face and the spacing of the two lugs 28 and 29 is such that they lie on opposite sides of the rib 17g. The function served by the spring 27 is to create a torque on the hub 24 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 which is transferred through arm 24a'and bearing member 23: to the shaft end 25 of the scavenger roll 26 and hence urges the scavenger roll 26 to engage the surface of the drafting roll 12. Consequently, when the drafting roll 12 is rotated, it will also effect rotation of the scavenger roll '26 and hence transfer any'lint on the drafting roll to the scavenger roll. The drafting roll 12 is thus kept free from lint and, instead, the. lint accumulates ontheplush surface of the scavenger roll 26.

After a considerable amount of lint has been built up upon the surface of the scavenger roll, the latter must be replaced with a clean roll. This can be accomplished very quickly and easily in accordance with the present inventicn by pressing downwardly upon the flute 15 against the counter upward force created by the arms 20b of the bow springs which support the ends of the flute. As the flute 15 moves towards the terminal position indicated in FIG. 4, the torque continuously effected upon the arms 24a by the springs 27 serves to rotate these arms and the scavenger roll supported thereby counter-clockwise as viewed in F185. 3 and 4 so that the scavenger roll 26 passes through the gradually increasing gap between the drafting roll 12 and flute 15 and finally drops out of its open bearing surface 23b into the hands of the operator. At such instant, the upper saddle-like surface 230 of the bearing member 23 will have arrived at a position beneath the drafting roll 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and will thus hold the flute 15 in the downward position. This frees the hands of the operator to insert a clean scavenger roll. The bearing member 23 is prevented from rotating counter-clockwise past the position shown in FIG. 4 due to the fact that the lug 29 will then have moved into engagement with the face of rib 17g.

After a clean scavenger roll has been put in place on the bearing supports 23, the operator pushes backwardly on the scavenger roll 26 thus causing the bearing supports 23 to rotate in the opposite direction and carry the scavenger roll to a position rearwardiy of the drafting roll 12. The upward force exerted by the spring arms Ztlb is then effective to move the parts into the positions shown in PEG. 3 with the clean scavenger roll 26 in rolling engagement with the drafting roll.

In conclusion, it is desired to point out that the embodiment of the improved scavenger roll and flute holder which has been described and illustrated is to be considered typical rather than limitative of the inventive concept which is defined hereinafter in the appended claims. Since that inventive concept resides principally in the feature that the scavenger roll is mounted in open bearings provided on arms which are mounted for pivotal movement on opposite ends of the suction flute and such arms are spring-loaded so as to urge the scavenger roll into engagement with the drafting rolls and also to automatically move the scavenger roll toward the operator and cause the scavenger roll to drop out of its bearings when the flute is pressed downwardly on its own pivotal spring supporting means, the arms then serving to hold the flute in its lower position, it is evident that other constructions may be provided which are the equivalent in function to hub 24, arms 24a, bearing 23 and the spring 27.

I claim:

1. The combination with a textile processing machine having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of upper and lower drafting rolls between which a plurality of textile strands are drawn respectively, of a suction flute having orifices thereon, first spring means supporting said flute, said first spring means biasing said flute upwardly to an upper rest position spaced from the underside of the lower drafting rolls and with said orifices located respectively behind the strands at the leaving side of said drafting rolls, a scavenger roll, rigid arm means pivotally mounted on each end of said flute, said arm means each including an open type bearing for receiving the opposite ends of said scavenger roll, and second spring means cooperative with each of said arm means for loading said scavenger roll into engagement with said lower drafting rolls, said arm means also movable in a forward direction by said second spring means cooperative therewith upon downward movement ofsaid flute to release said scavenger roll from said bearings and engage said lower drafting rolls thereby to retain said flute in its lower position against the counter biasing force imparted thereto by said first spring means. I

2. The combination with a textile processing machine having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of upper and lower drafting rolls between which a plurality of textile strands are drawn respectively, of a suction flute having orifices thereon, end plugs for said flute, first spring means connected to said end plugs for supporting said flute, said first spring means biasing said flute to an upper rest position spaced from the underside of said lower drafting rolls and with said orifices located respectively behind the strands at the leaving side of said drafting rolls, a scavenger roll, rigid arm means pivotally mounted on each of said end plugs, said arm means each including an open type bearing for receiving the opposite ends of said scavenger roll, and second spring means cooperative with each of said arm means for loading said scavenger roll into engagement with said lower drafting rolls, said arm means being also movable in a forward direction by said second spring means cooperative therewith upon downward movement of said flute to release said scavenger roll from said bearings and engage said lower drafting rolls thereby to retain said flute in its lower position against the counter biasing movement imparted thereto by said first spring means.

3. The combination with a textile processing machine having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of upper and lower drafting rolls between which a plurality of textile strands are drawn respectively, of a suction flute having orifices thereon, end plugs for said flute, first spring means connected to said end plugs for supporting said flute, said first spring means biasing said flute to an upper rest position spaced from the underside of said lower drafting rolls and with said orifices located respectively behind the strands at the leaving side of said drafting rolls, ascavenger roll, rigid arm means pivotally connected to each of said end plugs, each of said arm means including a hub portion rotatably mounted on the associated end plug and an outwardly extending arm terminating in an open type bearing for receiving one end of said scavenger roll, and second spring means disposed within each of said end plugs and applying a torque to the corresponding hub portion of said arm means for loading said scavenger roll into engagement with said lower drafting rolls, said applied torque serving also to rotate said arm means in a forward direction upon downward movement of said flute to release said scavenger roll from said bearings and engage said lower drafting rolls thereby to retain said flute in its lower position against the counter biasing force imparted thereto by said first spring means.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said end plugs includes a circular recess and said spring means for applying a torque to the hub portion of the corresponding arm means is constituted by an arcuate spring member seated in said recess, one end of 6 said spring member being fixed in position with respect to said end plug and the other end of said spring being secured to said hub portion.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said circular recess in said end plug includes a rib serving as an anchor point for one end of said spring member and said hub portion includes a pair of spaced lugs extending outwardly from one face of said hub portion into said circular recess, one of said lugs being secured to the opposite end of said spring, and the other of said lugs being movable into engagement with said rib after a predetermined rotational movement of said hub portion.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein an open type inverted L-shaped bearing member is secured to the outer end of each said arm, the upper side of said bearing member including a saddle portion for engaging the underside of said lower drafting rolls and the end of said scavenger roll being engageable with a rounded portion of said bearing member formed at the inner corner thereof.

7. The combination with a textile processing machine having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of upper and lower drafting rolls between which a plurality of textile strands are drawn respectively, of a suction flute having orifices thereon, first spring means supporting said flute and biasing said flute to an upper rest position spaced from the underside of the lower drafting rolls and with said orifices located respectively behind the strands at the leaving side of said drafting rolls, a scavenger roll, rigid arm means pivotally mounted on each end of said flute, said arm means each including a bearing member provided with an open type bearing for receiving the opposite ends of said scavenger roll, and second spring means cooperative with each of said arm means for loading said scavenger roll into engagement with said lower drafting rolls, said arm means being also movable in a forward direction by said second spring means cooperative therewith upon downward movement of said flute to release said scavenger roll from said bearings and effect engagement between said bearing members and said lower drafting rolls thereby to retain said flute in its lower position against the counter biasing force imparted thereto by said first spring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,840,863 Hewitt July 1, 1958 2,893,196 Struber July 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,142,029 France Mar. 25, 1957 

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A TEXTILE PROCESSING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED SETS OF UPPER AND LOWER DRAFTING ROLLS BETWEEN WHICH A PLURALITY OF TEXTILE STRANDS ARE DRAWN RESPECTIVELY, OF A SUCTION FLUTE HAVING ORIFICES THEREON, FIRST SPRING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID FLUTE, SAID FIRST SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID FLUTE UPWARDLY TO AN UPPER REST POSITION SPACED FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LOWER DRAFTING ROLLS AND WITH SAID ORIFICES LOCATED RESPECTIVELY BEHIND THE STRANDS AT THE LEAVING SIDE OF SAID DRAFTING ROLLS, A SCAVENGER ROLL, RIGID ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON EACH END OF SAID FLUTE, SAID ARM MEANS EACH INCLUDING AN OPEN TYPE BEARING FOR RECEIVING THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SCAVENGER ROLL, AND SECOND SPRING MEANS COOPERATIVE WITH EACH OF SAID ARM MEANS FOR LOADING SAID SCAVENGER ROLL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LOWER DRAFTING ROLLS, SAID ARM MEANS ALSO MOVABLE IN A FORWARD DIRECTION BY SAID SECOND SPRING MEANS COOPERATIVE THEREWITH UPON DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID FLUTE TO RELEASE SAID SCAVENGER ROLL FROM SAID BEARINGS AND ENGAGE SAID LOWER DRAFTING ROLLS THEREBY TO RETAIN SAID FLUTE IN ITS LOWER POSITION AGAINST THE COUNTER BIASING FORCE IMPARTED THERETO BY SAID FIRST SPRING MEANS. 